Sacrament of Baptism

The first Sacrament that all Catholics celebrate is Baptism. This Sacrament washes us clean from original sin and initiates us into the Catholic community.

If you are visiting this page because of the recent birth of a child, congratulations! The community of Sacred Heart & Our Lady's Collaborative rejoices with you and your family. We are delighted that you have chosen our community for your child’s Baptism. This is the first step on your child’s journey of faith, and we are committed to making the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism meaningful and life-giving for you and your family. We are also committed to helping you in every possible way as you raise your child in faith. For information on the next steps and who to contact, please take a look below.

If you have landed on this page to learn more about Baptism for either yourself or another, scroll down to read more on Baptism, or visit our page on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Questions You May Have

What is Baptism? “Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church.) It is the first of three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. Through Baptism, as with the other six Sacraments, we encounter the Living Christ in his passage from death to new life. By this encounter, we are freed from the power of sin and death, become members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and so rise to new life and to a new way of living.

When should we have our baby baptized? We encourage parents to present their children for Baptism as soon as is reasonably possible after birth. Therefore, it is a good idea to contact the parish prior to the baby’s birth so that Baptism can be scheduled in a timely fashion. However, we also realize that situations in life don’t always allow for Baptism to happen shortly after the birth of a child, and we welcome children or adults of any age who want to be baptized.

Why do we celebrate some Baptisms during Mass? Baptism welcomes us into the Body of Christ, the Church. By water and the Holy Spirit, we become the children of God. Baptism is not a private act but a public expression of, and participation in, the Church’s faith. The celebration of Baptism, therefore, calls for the active participation of the community. The whole community welcomes the child and promises our love and support as a tangible expression of God’s love and goodness. Because Sunday is the weekly celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection, by which we have new life, celebrating Baptism at Mass, when the parish community gathers for worship, reminds us of the connection between the Church, the Eucharist, and this new member of the Church and of your family. It also reminds us that the journey of faith will lead your baptized child, one day, to join you and the larger community at the table of the Lord for the Eucharist. At the Eucharist, all Catholics are nourished by the Word of God and Christ’s Body and Blood, so that we can be better witnesses of God’s love to all people. The communal nature of Baptism calls for the celebration of Sacrament within Mass or in small gatherings with other families.

Who can be godparents? Godparents should be faithful people who are baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church. Church law requires that at least one godparent is a member of the Catholic Church who has been Confirmed. It is possible for the second godparent to be a member of another Christian Church. The tradition is typically to choose one godmother and one godfather. When choosing godparents, it is important to consider the responsibility of a godparent: namely, people who will support the parents in bringing this child up in the Catholic faith and who will be a good role model for this child.

Is a white dress or suit required? The white garment symbolizes that your child has become a new creation in Christ in the waters of Baptism. Most families have a garment (dress or suit) that they have chosen for their child. This garment should be brought with you to the Baptism. You will clothe your child in this garment after the immersion in the water.

Is there a fee for Baptism? There is no charge to become a member of God’s family. However, it is customary for families to offer a gift to the parish in thanksgiving for their child’s baptism. $100.00 is a suggested offering. However, we are grateful for your generosity, no matter what your means allow.

Can we take pictures and videos at Baptism? Photos and videos are allowed. However, those taking photographs are asked to be respectful and not obscure the view of others. Flash photography is not allowed at any time, and we also ask that no photos be taken during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in order to be respectful. The priest or deacon will be available after the celebration for additional pictures.